Installation Guide

Topical Treatment Products
DO use a topical treatment
product that:
DO NOT use a topical treatment
product that:
It is not within the Cedar Bureau's mandate to
recommend brand names of topical roof
treatment products. Consult with your local
professionals for product information
regarding cleaning and preserving cedar in
your area. The Cedar Bureau does, however,
recommend the following:
• Offers a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet
that lists product ingredients and safety
precautions)
• Is labeled as a cedar roof treatment product
or has a letter from the manufacturer
stating that treating cedar roofs is an
appropriate use for this product
• Is a water repellent, UV inhibitor, and/or
EPA registered wood preservative
• Has a manufacturer's performance
guarantee
• Makes outrageous claims (such as a 10-year
effectiveness)
• Makes fire-retardant claims
• Is a sealant, waterproofer or plasticizer
• Contains unfortified linseed oil, diesel fuel
or crank case oil
The Cedar Bureau is aware of numerous
bleaching and cleaning agents. Consumers are
advised to heed the preceding topical
treatment precautions before allowing such
products to be applied to a cedar roof.
Powerwashing
The Beauty Of Cedar
This is the most controversial issue in the care
and maintenance industry. It is a fact that high
pressure washing by inexperienced people
will cause significant damage to any material.
Some debris can easily be removed with
garden hose pressure. Some contractors
powerwash to clean roofs, while others do
not. If powerwashing is used, the roof should
receive a topical treatment to restore the roof.
The Cedar Bureau recommends having a
professional assess each job on an individual
basis to determine if powerwashing is
appropriate or not. Care and maintenance
professionals know the proper procedures,
which include factoring in:
• Age, condition and environment of roof
• Gallons sprayed per minute
• Fan tip size
• Distance spray nozzle is held from roof
• Pressure per square inch and others…
Another good thing about cedar is that it is
possible to replace and repair parts of the
roof, without worrying that your replacement
shakes or shingles are significantly different in
composition from your original shakes or
shingles. Over the hundreds of years that
cedar has been used, the product has
remained unchanged…it's still cedar. As
cedar advances to its mature stage, it is
natural to expect some pieces to require
replacement. Individual repairs are possible,
and with prompt attention, proactive repairs
can extend the life of your wise Certi-label
cedar investment.
CEDAR CARE AND MAINTENANCE OVERVIEW
Architect: Arnold Scribner & Associates, Photo: Erven Jourdan
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